Yosemite --> back to Mavericks (help needed please)

[artapples]

Hi,

I'm a bit of a techie thickie, so any help would really be appreciated.

I have an (iMac 27" / late 2012 / 2.9 Ghz) and I just upgraded to OS X Yosemite (10.10.1) a few days ago, and I'm having huge problems with it...

(1) My screen drifts to the left after I zoom in, resulting in about 10-15% of the screen on the left being out-of-shot, which is hugely annoying. This happens whether I use the desktop zoom 'command' and '+', or my trackpad, or via my mouse (logitech bluetooth).
(2) When there is a left-to-right scroll bar on any internet page or on iTunes, and I place my mouse over it, the contents zoom super fast to the extreme left, not allowing me any time to click on anything within.
(3) My iMessages no longer works.. people I used to message via my desktop (who also have apple products) no longer are able to get my messages (I keep getting a message now that says 'Not delivered" and 'xxx is not registered with iMessage' when they are, and it was working fine a few days ago (before Yosemite).

So, I want to go back to Mavericks, but need help/advice first if possible please

I never backed up my old iOS (as I have since learned about, having read around the net) and was never aware of Time Machine or how to use it.

However I have only a few things that I would like to keep...
- A few folders on my desktop (with loads of images inside them)
- Notebook (I have loads of useful info saved on multi tabs in Notebook) and I really want to try to hold onto that
- iPhoto (I have about 300 pictures on iPhoto (and I would like to keep them all)

I have only had Yosemite for a few days. 98% of the content (desktop folders / Notebook content / iPhoto content) that I want to save was done when I had Mavericks before.

Is there any way I can save all that first somewhere (desktop folders / Notebook content / iPhoto content) and then go back to Mavericks, and then bring all that back?

The desktop folders I understand I can just email to myself?, and then open up once Mavericks is reinstalled and put it back onto my desktop. Is that correct?

What about the Notebook & iPhoto content? Is there anyway to retain that whilst doing this return to Mavericks?

I have nothing else on my desktop... I am a very light computer user (internet, email, youtube etc) but have nothing (systems, apps etc on my desktop) to worry about.

Sorry for the long description. Any help or guidance would really be appreciated. If possible could you explain a solution in as simple terms as possible, as I am very naive to computer use/jargon

Thank you...

 

[Rodster]

Enable iCloud and you can sync your photos, notes, calendar and documents. In order to sign in to iCloud you'll need to provide your Apple ID. That's what I use to login to Yosemite. Pretty much most of my stuff is sent to the Cloud.

 

[artapples]

Wow, thank you for the quick reply

I already have iCloud on (ever since I bought the computer last year) and things already synch on my apple devices (I have an iPad and iPhone too). So things like buying a song on iTunes on my desktop immediately synchs over to my iPhone and iPad without me having to do anything.

Does that mean I am free to go ahead and bring Mavericks back then without any problems?

Is this the best way (below, taken from http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13871) for me to go ahead and reinstall Mavericks as well?

OS X Mavericks: Reinstall OS X

Use the built-in recovery disk to reinstall OS X while keeping your files and user settings intact.

Important: You must be connected to the Internet to reinstall OS X.

1. Choose Apple menu > Restart. Once your Mac restarts (and the gray screen appears), hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys.
2. If you’re not connected to the Internet, choose a network from the Wi-Fi menu (in the top-right corner of the screen).
3. Select Reinstall OS X, then click Continue.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions. In the pane where you select a disk, select your current OS X disk (in most cases, it’s the only one available).

Thanks again...

 

[Rodster]

Tbh I never used iCloud with Mavericks so maybe someone else can verify that for you. I created a bootable USB drive and press the C key on startup and it takes me to the install screen.

Honestly you might want to do a clean install with Yosemite first unless you hate the look or other UI aesthetics bother you. I found my 2012 Mac Mini runs quicker on Yosemite than Mavericks.

 

[saudor]

If you used iclouds documents & data and upgraded to 10.10's iCLOUD drive, you won't be able to access it if you downgrade. Other iCloud stuff like contacts, reminders, etc work fine. Basically any file related stuff no longer work if you chose to accept the iCloud drive upgrade

Your iPhoto library can be backed up simply by copying the iPhoto Library folder/icon to an external disk and moving it back